To that end, Bhutan embarked on the $1.29 million Improving Resilience to Seismic Risk project funded by the Japan Policy and Human Resources Development (PHRD) Technical Assistance Program to Support Disaster Reduction and Recovery. This project started on May 23, 2013 and ended on July 31, 2017.

Retrofitting of Renewable Natural Resources center in Yoeseltsi, Samtse. Photo: Royal Government of Bhutan

Partners agreed to take a multi-departmental approach to align the activities of each technical agency to improve the country’s seismic resilience. This was vital for Bhutan to make the best of all available resources and technical capacity.

“This is the first time that I am attending a meeting amongst building engineers,” said Jamyang Chophel, Executive Engineering Geologist from the Department of Geology and Mines (DGM) at the consultative meeting in April 2017 among building engineers from all districts to discuss the challenges of integrating seismic resilient features in building constructions. Jamyang is the focal officer from the DGM for the project and was invited to provide an overview of Bhutan’s exposure to seismic hazards.

Conducting a vulnerability assessment. Photo: Royal Government of Bhutan

The Department of Disaster Management developed a Manual on Non-structural Mitigation Measures (NSM) for schools and piloted its implementation in two schools in the eastern part of the country. The user-friendly manual was tested in these two schools and later adopted in other schools in the central and western parts of the country. Schools have carried out the necessary mitigation measures for non-structural falling hazards based on the manual.

The Bhutan National Earthquake Monitoring Network has now expanded with additional seismic stations. This network will enhance the understanding of seismic activities and eventually help Bhutan develop seismic maps with in-country data.

The vulnerability assessment guidelines developed for non-engineered buildings by the Department of Engineering Services through this project can now be used to carry out the vulnerability assessment of the entire country. Similarly, the Department of Culture is carrying out further detailed field tests on rammed earth structures based on the findings from the project.